Eisenhower Silver dollars were minted from 1971-1976. These coins have value as numismatic coins. Keep reading to learn more about these coins.
Specifications
Type: Eisenhower Dollar
Year: 1971-1976
Face Value: $1.00
Composition: 60% copper, 40% silver
Silver Weight: .3161 oz.
Total Weight: 24.59 grams
Current Silver Bullion Value: $10.32
Series
Eisenhower silver dollars were minted as collector's coins. They were minted out of San Francisco and the S mint mark can be found above the date.
Silver proof coins with the S mint mark were minted during each year and these coins will sell for around the same price as the uncirculated coins.
Note: Not every Eisenhower dollar minted from 1971-1974 is a silver-clad coin. Copper-clad coins were also minted during these years. Eisenhower silver dollars minted all have the S mint mark. For the years 1971-1972 only the silver dollars have the S mint mark. For the years 1973-1974 the copper-clad coins can also have the S mint mark, so therefore you will need to be able to differentiate the coin type. It's relatively easy to tell the difference between the silver clad coins and the copper-nickel clad coins. The silver coins will look shinier, and they will also weigh more. The silver coins weigh 24.59 grams compared to the copper-nickel coins which weigh 22.68 grams.
Design
Frank Gasparro designed these coins. His initials FG can be found at the truncation of Eisenhower's neck and also below the eagle's tailfeather.
The design on the obverse side of the coin features a portrait of Dwight D. Eisenhower. The reverse side of the coin features the official adaptation of Apollo 11.
The dies of the Eisenhower dollar were modified over the years, which means that different design varieties are available (type 1, type 2, and type 3). The type 1 coins were minted in low-relief and they show a flattened Earth and three islands off Florida. The type 2 coins were minted in high-relief and they show a round Earth and indistinct islands. The type 3 coins were minted in high-relief and some small design modifications were made.
The 1971 Eisenhower silver uncirculated dollars are all of the type 1 variety. Most 1971 Eisenhower silver proof dollars are of the type 2 variety while others are of the type 1 variety. All 1972 Eisenhower silver dollars are of the type 2 variety. All 1973-1974 Eisenhower silver dollars are of the type 3 variety. No Eisenhower dollars were minted in 1975.
The 1976 Eisenhower silver dollars have a different design on the reverse side of the coin. This design commemorates the bicentennial of the United States. The reverse side of the coin features the Liberty Bell and the moon. The design on the obverse side of the coin is unchanged besides the addition of the dual date 1776-1976.
Value
Any Eisenhower silver dollar is worth at least its weight in silver. The silver melt value for each coin is $10.32. This melt value is calculated from the current silver spot price of $32.64 per ounce.
Most Eisenhower silver dollars in circulated condition will sell for a premium above their melt value.
Ultimately, the value of an Eisenhower silver dollar will depend on its series and its condition. See the list below to learn the value for any individual coin.
- 1971 Eisenhower Silver Dollar
- 1972 Eisenhower Silver Dollar
- 1973 Eisenhower Silver Dollar
- 1974 Eisenhower Silver Dollar
- 1976 Eisenhower Silver Dollar
Sources:
The Red Book